Walk Your Story: Local Designer Turns Sneakers Into Wearable Art

Sneakers have long transcended their athletic origins, making confident strides from runways to boardrooms and pairing effortlessly with everything from athleisure to eveningwear. Dubai fashionistas have always loved sneakers, from limited editions to collector’s items, and taking this sneaker love and revolution a notch further is Dubai-based artist and designer Diviya Tilani, whose customized sneakers are redefining footwear as a medium of self-expression. Each pair she crafts is not just footwear but deeply personal wearable art. Available at Design Dome, City Walk, Dubai, these one-of-a-kind creations invite wearers to move beyond trends and step into individuality.

“Sneakers today are more than just fashion or comfort—they are personality statements,” says Tilani. “We all deserve to wear footwear with character.”

A resident artist and co-founder of Design Dome—a concept space blending global brands, art, culture, and coffee—Tilani brings a multidisciplinary approach to her craft. With a background in painting and historical costume construction, she transforms each pair into a canvas, weaving together storytelling, technique, and meticulous craftsmanship.

Visitors to the Design Dome will find a diverse range of designs on display and available for purchase. Highlights include:

● A striking pair featuring camels silhouetted against a sunset—an artistic tribute to the UAE.

● Sneakers adorned with playful trinkets hanging from lace loops, echoing contemporary accessory culture.

 ● Experimental designs incorporating sequins, threads, and rope, pushing the boundaries of texture and form.

● And pairs that are a nod to the places we love to eat at, Allo Beirut included. Yes, brand collaborations are welcome.

Each piece is hand-painted and may include intricate embellishments such as weaving, making every pair truly unique. Tilani is often found at the Design Dome’s design lab, translating seasonal inspirations and individual customer visions into bespoke creations.

While fleeting trends—from jelly sandals to sneakerinas—come and go, Tilani’s work reinforces the idea that footwear, as an extension of identity, remains timeless.

Customers can explore ready-to-wear pieces in-store or book a personal consultation to commission bespoke sneakers tailored to their vision. The sneakers range between AED 250 and AED 2000 onwards if you bring in your own pair, and AED 650 and AED 1350 for the available selection.

Open to brand collaborations, Tilani continues to innovate at the intersection of art and fashion, ensuring that every step taken is both stylish and meaningful.

For more information or to book an appointment, visit Design Dome, City Walk, Dubai.

To know more: https://designdome.ae/

Follow on Instagram: @designdome